Medical marijuana facilities are legal under state law, but not under federal law.

Today’s raids occurred as the Los Angeles City Council tentatively approved a temporary ban on the opening of new medical marijuana dispensaries. The city wants to enact the ban while officials draft an ordinance regulating the dispensaries.

“I am greatly disturbed that the Drug Enforcement Administration would initiate an enforcement action against medical marijuana facilities in the city of Los Angeles during a news conference regarding City Council support of an interim control ordinance to regulate all facilities within the city,” Councilman Dennis Zine said.

“This action by the DEA is contrary to the vote of Californians who overwhelmingly voted to support medicinal marijuana use by those facing serious and life-threatening illnesses,” he said. “The DEA needs to focus their attention and enforcement action on the illegal drug dealers who are terrorizing communities in Los Angeles.”